'This is a big call by the club' - Sheffield Wednesday backed for Barry Bannan decision | OneFootball

A big call has been made at Sheffield Wednesday, with Henrik Pedersen praised for making it ahead of the 2026/27 League One season...

Sheffield Wednesday are not short of experience and natural leaders at the club for 2026/27, with Barry Bannan and Liam Palmer the two in particular that know the club better than anyone.

Between them, they have over 26 years of experience at Hillsborough, including 986 appearances in the blue and white of Sheffield Wednesday. Re-signing Barry Bannan was crucial because a successful promotion bid is rarely built on youthful talent alone.

In that sense, Sheffield Wednesday appear to have the balance needed to bounce straight back to the Championship in 2026/27. While exciting younger players will undoubtedly have an important role to play like Harry Gray and Will Grainger, the Owls' wealth of experience could prove to be even more valuable over the course of a long League One campaign.

Having senior figures throughout the squad helps set standards on and off the pitch, keeps the dressing room grounded during difficult spells, and creates the winning culture needed to sustain a promotion push. That leadership could be the difference when pressure begins to mount later in the season.

The Sheffield Wednesday verdict on the Liam Palmer and Barry Bannan captaincy decision

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Liam Palmer and Bannan are just two, with the likes of Liam Cooper, Ricardo Santos, Jamal Lowe, and Joe Lumley all in their 30s and able to set standards to a young core, but having the right leadership group in place is essential if Wednesday are to hit the ground running in League One.

FLW's Sheffield Wednesday fan pundit Patrick McKenna was asked about the current leadership, with Palmer retaining the captain's armband after Bannan's January exit, with Bannan instated as vice captain at Sheffield Wednesday instead. We asked how he feels about this and if it is the right or wrong call.

He said: "Yeah, I think this is a big call by the club. These are the two most experienced players here and that counts a lot for a role such as captaincy. It doesn't always have to be the most talented player who does it.

"Although I would argue that Bannan could potentially be our best player next season. However, it's what they do around the club, what respect they have from their fellow professionals, and the leadership qualities they have shown.

"And, honestly, Henrik Pedersen has seen that from both players. They are the ideal candidates and I can't argue with that. They've both given the club a lot of their playing careers. They are obviously well respected and they've got experience.

"I like, as well, that the role has kind of been split. I do foresee Bannan getting more time on the pitch than Palmer, so maybe he will do more on-field captaincy than Palmer. But to have Palmer representing the club, I think that's a great choice.

"Yeah, it's going to work well for the club in the season."

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With Bannan's return sealed, Sheffield Wednesday have made one of the strongest starts to the summer transfer window of any club in the EFL, with nine new arrivals highlighting the scale of David Storch's ambition since taking charge.

After inheriting a squad in desperate need of major surgery following relegation, there was little time to waste. The new owner has acted swiftly to give the club renewed momentum ahead of other peers in the third tier. That was particularly important in winning over supporters, who have understandably been eager to see tangible signs of progress after a turbulent period.

However, the job is far from complete. Wednesday arguably required one of the biggest rebuilds anywhere in the EFL, meaning further additions are still needed before the transfer window closes. The early business has laid solid foundations, but if the Owls are to secure an immediate return to the Championship, Storch cannot afford to take his foot off the accelerator.

That means more peak-age players in the 24-28 bracket, considering the Owls have just six players in that age range. They need to ensure players come in that have a chance of making the step up to the second tier, too.